Greetings, sweet Siestas. It is with the largest lump in my throat imaginable that I introduce myself and share my heart with you, a most tender and humble heart as I type these words. I’m Melanie Toups, and my husband, Jerry, and I live in Bridge City, Texas. Our son and daughter-in-law, Jerrad and Cody Toups, live in Houston and are the parents of our darling grandbaby, Cally. Our daughter and her husband, Jacqueline and Josh Elliff, live in Arlington. Besides my salvation, my sweet Father has loved me most well in the lives of my children. Most well. Jerry and I worship at First Baptist Orange; I serve as principal of Kountze Elementary School and also teach at Lamar University’s junior college, LIT, in the evenings. Facilitating ladies’ Bible studies, primarily Beth’s studies, for the past 10 years is one of my greatest joys.
In 2009, I began memorizing Scripture through this very blog and have continued for six years. I’ll never be able to fully express the profound, life-changing impact this has over me every single day. I love His Word like no other love in my life. Last fall I began asking Him with much anticipation, “Father, what do You have for us in year seven?!”
Our Connection Group recently began “Time of Your Life” by Andy Stanley, and during the first session, I whispered to a friend that Psalm 90:12 would be my first memory verse in 2015:
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NASB)
This verse challenges me greatly in how I redeem the time He gives me. Andy discusses the cumulative value of investing small amounts of time in things of worth over a long period of time. (My first thought was the immeasurable worth of Scripture memorization.) I’d been asking for His guidance in laying aside a current commitment to better serve Him, and this verse took my breath away. When I dug deeper into ‘wisdom’ (Hebrew ‘chokmah’) in my Bible’s lexical aids, I found it specifically refers to ‘prudence’ in this passage. Prudence – wise in handling matters; skill and good judgment in the use of resources. Yes. Psalm 90:12 is for me.
This verse also speaks to me in seasons of wait. While we believe Him to be faithful as we await answered prayers for loved ones, relationships, jobs, etc., let’s serve Him and intentionally seek daily glimpses of His glory in the wait. A favorite set of commentaries by Charles Spurgeon, “Treasury of David”, contains this statement regarding my verse, ‘When the heart seeketh, it findeth, as though it were brought unto her, like Abraham’s ram.’ Ahh. Breathtaking. This is for me.
I’m in such need of His loving-kindness. Each morning, my knees hit the bedroom carpet for my Manna time (‘quiet time’ – necessary, daily nourishment from Him) and then again knees on the floor behind my office desk, desperate to live under His authority to have His anointing over whatever the day holds. (Warning: you may look like a bobble-head doll popping up if someone opens your office door without knocking. Smile!) But what carries me throughout each day is His Word, verses memorized to fill my thoughts and speak aloud while walking the halls of my campus or the hallway of my home. And on stressful days when my thoughts seem to continually cycle ‘grumble/confess/repeat’, I beg Him to please ‘work in me to will and to ACT according to His good purpose’ (from Philippians 2:13, emphasis mine).
So, let’s do this! Your heart will soar at His faithfulness! He will use you to encourage coworkers and family with verses penned to notepads and text messages. Learn verses with friends (in 2014 I invited Facebook friends to join a group and was overwhelmed at the response); recite them during your morning commute. My work commute is 90 miles roundtrip, and my spiral is my copilot. Recently I spoke at a local ladies’ retreat and discussed Scripture memorization. Today I saw the pastor of one of the participating churches, and he was excited to share the difference Scripture memory is already making in his congregation. Applause for Him alone! He. is. most. worthy.
Thank you, precious Beth, for your incredible generosity in allowing me to honor Him through your ministry. I love Him more because of your obedience to His calling. I love you.
So excited to read YOUR verses, my friends!
P.S. In case you missed it, we have a new SSMT app!! Check it out here: SSMT App Launch
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 ESV
Cindee Johnson
Portageville, Mo
Cheri Bunch, Louisville, KY. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV
Anita, Lawrenceville.
“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
Krista Ripley WV
Phill 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Mary Joy, Dayton, OH.
“I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.”
Psalm 116:9 (NKJV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 NIV
Proverbs 3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes;fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your bodyand nourishment to your bones.
Deb Harney-Columbia City, IN
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1b NIV
Sarah Fox, Springfield MO
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise- dwell on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 HCSB
Renia Robinette, Sherwood, Arkansas. “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1:10 NIV
Michelle Rodriguez, Beavercreek, OH
“You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.” Colossians 3:7 NIV
Susie, Boston MA
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26 (ESV)
April Anstey, St. John’s, NL Canada
” We’re depending on God, he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy, since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you’ve got – that’s what we’re depending on”.
Psalm 33:20-22 (MSG)
Marylee Hamblin, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” Psalm 139:6 NIV
Jeanette Plummer, Mesquite, TX:
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Philippians 3:10 (NIV)
Tanja, Edmonton, Alberta
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Stacey. – Morocco,in
Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Kathi Griffin from Macon, GA: Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love bcause of their work. Live in peace with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NIV
Becky Davis, Huntington, WV
“And to godliness, mutual affection, and to mutual affection, love” 2 Peter 1:7 (NIV)
kathy Emeigh from Bethlehem PA
“You will guard ‘her’ and keep ‘her’ in perfect peace whose mind [both it’s inclination and it’s character] is stayed on You, because ‘she’ commits ‘herself’ to You, leans on You, and hopes confidentially in You.” Isaiah 36: 3 (Amplified)
Valerie,Ontario(Mansfield),OH
“Whoever speaks,let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves,do so with the strength that God supplies,so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. 1 Peter 4:11 (NET).
Maria in Kingston, PA
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4 NIV
Maryse Sturm, Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, Europe
Vertrouw bij je werk op de HEER, en je plannen zullen slagen.
Spreuken 16:3 NBV
“May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.”
Psalm 119:173 NIV
Adrianna Anderson
Pinson, Al
Janet, Midlothian, Texas
Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
Hebrews 7:25 NIV
Sue Middeldorf – Troy, Michigan – “from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Ephesians 3:15 (NIV)
Heather Sutton Boaz, AL
1 Thessalonians 5:11- Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV
Stacy from Hawkinsville, GA:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
Valerie, Buffalo, OH
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”-Proverbs 16:9 (NIV
Heidi Worthey, Moreland, GA
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, (Ephesians 3:14 NASB)
Misty Weare, Alliance, NE
“Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,[a] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” (2 Thess 1:1-3, ESV
Janet
Bemus Point, NY
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
And in French:
Romains 8:38-39 (SG21)
38 En effet, j’ai l’assurance que ni la mort ni la vie, ni les anges ni les dominations, ni le present ni l’avenir, ni les puissances,
39 ni la hauteur, ni la profondeur, ni aucune autre creature ne pourra nous separer de l’amour de Dieu manifeste en Jesus-Christ notre Seigneur.
Thank you for sharing the French translation – beautiful! The Lord’s Prayer is also beautiful in that translation. Blessings, Kim
Barbara Slaven, Loudon TN
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph 6:11 NIV
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! (Isaiah 43:18-19a NIV)
Praise God for His grace!
Auburn, AL
Claudia, Durham, NC
“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; i would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalm 84:10 NIV
One of my memory verses from 2014. 🙂
Melanie
Carol Peavy – Jena, LA
So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 NASB
Joamn Thompson, Coos Bay, Oregon
“Being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ASV
Psalm139:6 “Such knowledge is too wonderful
for me, too lofty for me to attain.”
Carol Rice Deer Park, TX
But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. Galatians 6:4 HCSB
Amanda Porter. Kansas City, MO. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your truth, we wait eagerly for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our souls. -Isaiah 26:8 (ESV)
Christina Moore, Plano, Texas~
“…where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:20, ESV).
Lacey D.
Oakwood, OH
Psalm 84:11 HCSB
For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD gives grace and glory; He does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity.
Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Phil 3-12
forgot to include Huntsville, AL
Amanda Dales, Rockhampton, Queensland
The Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 3:15 NLT
For this reason I kneel before the Father. Ephesians 3 : 14 HCSB
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Christy; Jasper, Alabama
Marketa, South Portland, Maine
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NASB)
Mimi in Snellville, GA ~ May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4 NIV
Barbara Slaven, Loudon, Tennessee
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Eph 6:11 NIV